New Jersey Introduces Bill to Allow Online Poker Play on International Sites

As a longtime champion of poker pursuits, New Jersey State Sen. Ray Lesniak introduced bill S3536 in November, which aims to allow New Jersey players to join forces with international operators to unite player pools. This effort while providing more liquidity to operators to improve tournament experiences for gamers could remove the New Jersey requirement that gaming servers be physically located.

New Jersey Sen. Ray Lesniak is retiring in a month, which means he will need to act fast if he hopes to pass charge S3536, which attempts to expand online gaming operations abroad. (Picture: Politco)

International Affair

The bill, which has been in the works reiterates the law that legalizes online gaming including its benefits to the state and the history of gaming, in New Jersey.

But, Sen. Ray Lesniak, who is slated to retire soon after nearly 40 years in the state Legislature, has amended it to underline the importance of international gaming. He writes:

“In the coming years, the global online gaming market is expected to see a compound annual growth rate, and the largest share of internet gambling revenue comes from Europe totaling nearly $15 billion annually and growing at a faster rate than the rest of the world.”

To put it differently, Sen. Ray Lesniak, a long-time proponent of online gaming, believes that in order for New Jersey to stay ahead of the curve and continue to grow, they must expand by beating their self-imposed regulations. This despite the fact that New Jersey just set a new annual record for internet gambling revenue.

Online gaming analyst Steve Ruddock believes there is a great chance the bill actually passes “considering its noncontroversial nature and support from the Division of Gaming Enforcement.”

But for the bill to become law, it must pass the New Jersey Senate and House of Representatives. If it does, Gov. Chris Christie would have 45 days to either sign the bill or take no action.

Internet Gaming Mecca

Lesniak once stated he wished to make New Jersey the Silicon Valley of online gaming, but he’s since changed his assignment to create it “the Mecca of online gaming.” Part of this involves turning an eye.

However, the bill allows to detach that constraint if it sees fit. The bills read:

“This bill allows the division to allow Internet gaming equipment to be located outside of Atlantic City if the division deems it necessary to facilitate the conduct of international Internet wagering.”

The bill comes on the heels of October’s interstate compact signed by Christie. That streamlined allowed New Jersey players to compete against gamers in Nevada and Delaware, the other two countries with legal online poker. Pennsylvania hasn’t yet determined where the state stands on participant pools and recently became the fourth country to legalize online gaming and poker, but has yet to establish operations.

Lesniak’s new bill was referred to the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Prevention Committee for further review. Given the existing New Jersey legislative session ends on Jan. 9, Lesniak has just over a month to pass the bill before his retirement.

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